7edacted | IC Inbox

Ah, yes I did.

I'm still working on completing the task it set out for me.

Well, perhaps we'll be able to hit two womprats with one stone.

What is it you need to do?

[Lucretia starts typing to ask about womprats but pauses, and erases with a chuckle. She'll have to ask that later,]

I'm meant to say "yes" to something I typically would not. Apparently, the person in charge here doesn't think I'm much of a risk taker.

That's delightfully vague isn't it?

It is, but hopefully that means the solution is open to interpretation.

I considered asking that young lady to help me with my "selfie game" but that was a little too much.

What was the task you were given?

You must admit it fits the bill.

I've been told to share a skill, or to learn one. I wondered if perhaps you might join me for a tea ceremony?

A tea ceremony?

I don't think I've done that before. At least not one from your world.

[In other words, it probably counts. She thinks so anyway.]

I would love to.

I should hope not. Unless you are familiar with Naboo?

Is that a kind of tea?

I'm kidding. I have no idea where Naboo. Or whether it is a planet or a city.

Perfect.

I'm afraid it will have to be a bit rustic but I shall do my best.

I'm sure it will be lovely.

Where shall we meet? I'm not certain if any of the cars available are any more Naboo-like than others.

I'd rather not take my chances in the museum again, if it's all the same to you.

How are you at navigating terrain like this?

I agree wholly. Also I'll be fine. I'm more used to roughing it than I look.

Excellent. There is a lake to the west that I think will make a fine location.

I think I've seen that one. I'll be there with bells on.

[There's a pause and she smiles a little at the device. How long has it been since she accepted a simple social invite. Not since Merle invited her to go on a spa day and that was, hm, well as it could have been given the circumstances.

It's some time later, after she's packed up her My Home and started her trek to the west. It's nostalgic, finding her way, but the little device does a lot to help, and soon enough she finds the lake, and finding Obi-Wan along the side of it is just a matter of walking along the edge until she spots him mid-preparation.

She calls out,] I'm not too soon, am I?

[ When she arrives, Obi-Wan has set things up insofar as his meagre means will allow. There is no Nubian tea here and really, Obi-Wan wouldn't call this any kind of traditional tea; more like a harvested collection of herbs. But it will do the job. There are a few dishes gathered together, including a tea pot and cups — in good condition, and clearly lifted from his own home making app.

Still standing, Obi-Wan raises his hand over his head and waves her over in clear invitation when she calls out. He waits until she's a little bit closer before answering. Like the first time they met, he is still in his Jedi clothes — though the outfit lacks the robe, leaving him wholly in pale linen. ]

Not at all, I've just set the tea on.

[ And it's clear he has, as the tea pot is propped up over a short, smoldering fire next to the flat are he's selected for them. ]

I hope you didn't run into too much trouble.

[As for Lucretia, she looks much like how they first met - although she has both of her hands now, one of which is wrapped around the white-oak staff, using it surreptitiously as a walking stick the rest of the way up the hill. More from exhaustion than enfeeblement.]

Not at all, [She says, then grins when she realizes she echoed him,] I have a lot of walking experience under my belt. Although I think I was much younger the last time I did it so much.

[Which isn't so long ago, she doesn't say. Instead she stretches a little bit, taking a deep breath of the fresh air.] So is there something different about a tea ceremony, or is this just a fancy word for drinking tea together?

It isn't the walking that would cause you trouble, I think.

[ He twinkles at her, then gestures to a spot in the grass. He's manoeuvred a flat rock to act as a table to sit between them and hold the bits and bobs for the ceremony. He takes his own seat across from her and waits patiently for her to join him. ]

Nubian tea ceremonies are used for a variety of reasons, but this one is a symbol of greeting and peace between two peoples as individuals or as a group.

[It feels rude to bring her staff to the table so she'll set it in the grass just behind her. Within reach of course, as she settles to sit with her legs crossed on the opposite side of the "table" - then decides a moment later that maybe that's too immature a sitting position and shifts so that her knees are tucked to the side. Better.]

Is there a difference in the tea or- [She chuckles,] Nevermind, I'll just enjoy without asking a million questions. It's been a long time since I've done something like this.

[ Obi-Wan doesn't seem to notice her fussing as he kneels across from her, sitting back on his heels. He raises one palm to quell her verbal worry, though the way he makes the gesture turns it kindly instead of judgemental. ]

No, please, I'm happy to answer your questions. I'm sharing a skill, aren't I? That usually suggests that one might be learning it. Though I cannot promise I'll have all the answers.

[ That aside, he leans forward and sorts the dishes out. ]

The type of tea matters less than the way it is served, in what order.

[She nods slowly, politely waiting as a good guest.]

Makes sense. I've visited places with similar traditions. Not all tea-related, but they were very big on their food preparation and symbolism connected to that.

[Good ole Tessaralia. She clears her throat.]

You never mentioned what it is you do in your world. I assume it's not all tea ceremonies.

[ He smiles, but the smile is directed at the table and the movement of his hands. It casts his eyes into shadow under ginger lashes, obscuring the sadness that lingers just under the surface of his carefully curated exterior. ]

No. I'm not from Naboo. I am a Jedi, and I lived until recently on a planet called Coruscant at the Jedi Temple.

[ This may be the first time he has used the term with anyone from outside his own universe. It feels strange, but good. Already, he realizes, he's grown accustomed to hiding what he is. He sits back and turns his attention to the bowling water. ]

[She doesn't miss the subtle shift of his expression, and there's a pause as she considers her words. There's a few concepts she's unfamiliar with here, why Jedi apparently do not come from Naboo, but it's clear that it might be sensitive ground being tread upon. Homesickness? Or something more.]

Forgive my ignorance about... everything really. There's a few words in there that I don't recognize. [She taps her fingers.] Is it a religion?

[She guesses, based on temples.]

[ Obi-Wan cants his head side to side with middling agreement. ]

The Jedi were Force users, Knights united in the quest to understand the mysteries of the Force and to serve as guardians of peace and justice throughout the galaxy. [ He sounds a bit scholarly, like he has taught this to others before. ] We ground ourselves in a spiritual existence and give up individual attachments in order to focus entirely on greater concerns.

[ Theoretically, anyway. He doubts the Jedi of the future will be able to hold to this doctrine the way peace had enabled them to do.

Pausing, he looks at Lucretia and offers a disarming little smile. ]

Normally I would offer you sugar here but I've not found anything remotely close.

[He smiles and she mirrors it back to him before she realizes that she's doing it. Heat creeps up to her ears and then even more so when she realizes that she's flustered for, what? Smiling back at a person? While drinking tea near a beautiful lake.

Glancing behind her to check on the staff (it hasn't gone anywhere) she lifts a hand and shakes her head.]

Not a problem. I like it just as well without.

[But The Force is a familiar statement and she hums and picks up her tea cup.]

Then you know mister Cal Kestis? I've met a few other people who came from the same world as others, so that's awfully lucky.

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